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Emmy Rossum Reflects on the Pain of Not Having Her Dad at Her Upcoming Wedding

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“Shameless” actress Emmy Rossum is opening up about her life without a father.

After attending a talk for Sheryl Sandberg’s new book “Option B,” Rossum felt compelled to speak up about living with a single mom. Emmy was raised in New York by mom Cheryl, a photographer, who took on the role of a "mother and a father.” She shared on Facebook on Monday, "Growing up in a school — and a world — filled with mostly two parent units was difficult for me. Father's Day still is difficult for me. I'm not really sure how to celebrate. In the weeks leading up to it, I sense it coming like a wave approaching. Sometimes I try to ignore it — but the ads in the paper or online banner ads for 'Macy’s Fathers Day Cologne Sale!' and restaurants selling 'Father’s Day Brunch Mimosas!' can make that pretty tricky.”

Rossum appears to have it all – love, success, talent, and countless other attributes — but she is still struggling with the painful effects of an absent father, who while still alive, will not be present for one of the biggest days of her life. She revealed, “Even today, the idea of no father/daughter dance at my wedding. No father to walk me down the aisle.”

"All of these ‘traditions' are painful reminders that inadvertently re-injure us, causing a feeling of loss, jealously (of others who have what I didn’t), anger and confusion. Usually leading to us feel somehow inadequate,” the 30-year-old emphasized. Emmy has been engaged to “Mr. Robot” creator Sam Esmail since September 2015, but has played coy about their wedding plans.

In her Facebook post, Emmy also opened up about the friendships that she formed with those in similar situations, which were “built on a strong, invisible bond that no one could really understand." She pointed out, “When you're going through something or when you live with something like that, most people don't know what to say... so most don't say anything at all. And that makes it feel even more isolating."

Emmy closed the post by thanking her friends, therapist, mom, and Sandberg for establishing “an online community where people can connect and build resilience."

In 2007, Emmy released the song “Anymore,” which was based on her strained relationship with her father.